At the 2001 ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco, the ALA Executive Board submitted to Council its [http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/iftoolkits/outsourcing/recommendation.cfm Recommendation on Privatization of Publicly Funded Libraries (Executive Board Document EBD #5.1 - Revised (2000-2001)], which was based on the memorandum distributed by Bishoff and Reed. The ALA Council adopted a policy statement concerning privatization, which was added to the ALA Policy Manual, as [http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/governance/policymanual/index.cfm#S2-52%20Services%20and%20Responsibilities%20of%20Libraries 52.7 Privatization of Publicly Funded Libraries]:

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At the 2001 ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco, the ALA Council adopted a policy statement concerning privatization, which was added to the ALA Policy Manual, as [http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/governance/policymanual/updatedpolicymanual/section2/52libsvcsandrespon.cfm#52.7 52.7 Privatization of Publicly Funded Libraries]:

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ALA affirms that publicly funded libraries should remain directly accountable to the publics they serve. Therefore, the American Library Association opposes the shifting of policy making and management oversight of library services from the public to the private for-profit sector.

ALA affirms that publicly funded libraries should remain directly accountable to the publics they serve. Therefore, the American Library Association opposes the shifting of policy making and management oversight of library services from the public to the private for-profit sector.

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[http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/iftoolkits/outsourcing/default.cfm Outsourcing and Privatization in Libraries] - including statements, guidelines and checklists.

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[http://www.ala.org/ala/professionalresources/outsourcing/index.cfm ALA Policy on Outsourcing and Privatization] provides a detailed history of this policy, plus resource materials on outsourcing and a privatization checklist.

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[http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/iftoolkits/outsourcing/alapolicy.cfm Outsourcing and Privatization in Libraries - ALA Policy on Outsourcing and Privatization]

Public Library Association's [http://web.archive.org/web/20061217083602/http:/www.ala.org/ala/pla/plaorg/reportstopla/outsourc.pdf Outsourcing: A Public Library Checklist (PDF)] from 2000 (currently only available via the Internet Archive)

[http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/iftoolkits/outsourcing/outsourcing_doc.pdf The Impact of Outsourcing and Privatization On Library Services and Management:] A Study for the American Library Association

Ayers, Sheila. 2003. "The Outsourcing of Cataloging: The Effect on Libraries." Current Studies in Librarianship 27, no. 1/2: 17-28.

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2008. "[http://www.dartmouthpubliclibraries.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/privatization-report-december-2008.pdf Privatization/Outsourcing Report - Dartmouth Public Libraries (PDF)]." - The purpose of this report is: (1) to review the research regarding the pros and cons of the use of a for-profit company in the administration and/or operation of the Town’s public libraries; (2) to determine what restrictions exist in Massachusetts State Law or Rules and Regulations governing public libraries that would pertain to contracting with a for-profit company; (3) to review the financial implications of the use of a for-profit company considering loss of current services and legal costs; (4) based upon the findings, to determine the feasibility of the Town, through the Library Board of Library Trustees, contracting with a private company in the administration and/or operation of the Town’s public libraries.

Ward, R. C. 2007. "The Outsourcing of Public Library Management: An Analysis of the Application of New Public Management Theories from the Principal-Agent Perspective". Administration and Society. 38, no. 6: 627-648.

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Ward, R. C. 2007. "The Outsourcing of Public Library Management: An Analysis of the Application of New Public Management Theories from the Principal-Agent Perspective." ''Administration and Society''. 38, no. 6: 627-648.

ALA affirms that publicly funded libraries should remain directly accountable to the publics they serve. Therefore, the American Library Association opposes the shifting of policy making and management oversight of library services from the public to the private for-profit sector.

Library Literature Articles

2000s

2008. "Privatization/Outsourcing Report - Dartmouth Public Libraries (PDF)." - The purpose of this report is: (1) to review the research regarding the pros and cons of the use of a for-profit company in the administration and/or operation of the Town’s public libraries; (2) to determine what restrictions exist in Massachusetts State Law or Rules and Regulations governing public libraries that would pertain to contracting with a for-profit company; (3) to review the financial implications of the use of a for-profit company considering loss of current services and legal costs; (4) based upon the findings, to determine the feasibility of the Town, through the Library Board of Library Trustees, contracting with a private company in the administration and/or operation of the Town’s public libraries.

Ayers, Sheila. 2003. "The Outsourcing of Cataloging: The Effect on Libraries." Current Studies in Librarianship 27, no. 1/2: 17-28.

Ward, R. C. 2007. "The Outsourcing of Public Library Management: An Analysis of the Application of New Public Management Theories from the Principal-Agent Perspective." Administration and Society. 38, no. 6: 627-648.